Napa Cabbage Miso Soup
Napa Cabbage Miso Soup
Perfect for Busy Mornings! A Comforting Bowl of Napa Cabbage Miso Soup with Subtle Sweetness and Savory Miso
On chilly days, nothing beats a warm bowl of miso soup to soothe your soul. This easy Napa Cabbage Miso Soup requires no special ingredients, yet the natural sweetness of the napa cabbage harmonizes beautifully with the rich, savory miso, creating a deeply satisfying flavor. It’s the perfect light meal, especially when enjoyed with a bowl of rice. Let’s make this simple yet delicious soup!
Main Ingredients- 1/2 head of young napa cabbage (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1/2 onion (thinly sliced)
- 3 Korean green chili peppers (finely chopped)
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 5 cups water (using a Korean paper cup measurement)
Seasoning- 3 Tbsp miso paste
- A pinch of salt or soy sauce (to adjust seasoning)
- 1/2 Tbsp DASHIDA or MSG (optional, for enhanced umami)
- 3 Tbsp miso paste
- A pinch of salt or soy sauce (to adjust seasoning)
- 1/2 Tbsp DASHIDA or MSG (optional, for enhanced umami)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Thoroughly wash the young napa cabbage under running water. Trim off the tough base and cut the leaves into bite-sized pieces, about 3-4 cm in length. Peel and thinly slice the onion. Finely chop the Korean green chili peppers.
Step 2
Pour 5 paper cups of water into a pot. Add 3 tablespoons of miso paste and dissolve it well. Stir with a spoon to ensure there are no clumps.
Step 3
Once the miso is fully dissolved, add the prepared napa cabbage, minced garlic, sliced onion, and chopped chili peppers to the pot. (Tip: For a deeper flavor, consider using anchovy-kelp broth or making your own broth before adding the miso. If you’re in a hurry, you can simply use miso and water, and for an extra boost of umami, stir in about 1/2 tablespoon of DASHIDA or MSG.)
Step 4
Cover the pot and bring to a boil over high heat for 10 minutes. Allow the cabbage to wilt slightly and the flavors to meld. After 10 minutes, taste the broth and adjust the seasoning with salt or soy sauce if needed. Once seasoned, uncover and simmer for another 5 minutes.
Step 5
If you prefer a slightly crisp texture for your cabbage, boiling for about 10-15 minutes is sufficient. However, for a softer cabbage and a sweeter broth where the flavors have deeply infused, I recommend simmering for an additional 10 minutes, totaling 20-25 minutes of cooking time. Adjust the simmering time to your preference for the perfect bowl of Napa Cabbage Miso Soup!
